I thought when we elected the first black President it was a turning point in our Country. Unfortunately I was wrong.

The examples of racism and disrespect for our first black President are plentiful: Rep. Joe Wilson shouting "You Lie!" to President Obama from the House Chamber. Rep. Ted Yoho (FL) responding with "I'm not gonna comment" when asked if Obama's a "born American." Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO) saying he doesn't want to be associated with Obama because "it's like touching a tar baby." Rep. Kerry Bentivolio (R-MI) telling supporters "I stood 12 feet away from the guy, and couldn't stand being there." Or Sen. Dick Durbin recalling how a high-level Republican leader told the president "I can't even stand to look at you" at a recent White House meeting. And then there was Newt Gingrich's bizarre statement that we can only begin to comprehend Obama's actions if we understand "Kenyan, anti-colonial behavior." Do I even need to bring up Ted Cruz, Sarah Palin, Donald Trump, Rush Limbaugh and other Republican leaders?

What does all this point to? To many it suggests an issue with the fact that Obama is black. The Tea Party in particular, judging by the words and actions of many in this radical right-wing faction, seem sickened by the fact that a black man lives in the White House. With his black wife. And black children. In their America, the one in which they grew up in, the only black people walking around the White House were servants. I think they're disgusted, angry, resentful and frustrated that a black man is the most powerful person in the world; a job that's been reserved for whites since the birth of America.

To be sure, the crippling polarization in Washington isn't a result of typical partisan differences. It goes so much deeper than that. It's rooted in an unprecedented level of bitterness, disrespect and the belief that Obama is neither American nor a legitimately elected president. They can't stand to be near him, or to talk with him, because, to them, he's no more qualified to be leader of the free world than the guy who shines their shoes at DC's Union Station.

Which is why they will never support anything he does, even if he discovers a cure for cancer. Which is why they quite calculatingly branded the Affordable Care Act "Obamacare." If you hate Obama, you gotta hate Obamacare, right? To them this law is nothing more than a black guy giving away hard-earned white money to poor, lazy blacks. And Obamacare is a sly symbol of that racial animus.

The blatant racism in America today is ugly. It's shameful. It's embarrassing. And it sure as hell exists.

You know when I first started reading this I thought I was going to agree with you. I personally do not care for President Obama and I think his is a lousy president. But as the president he needs to be shown the respect of the the office...period. And despite my views on his politics, if I ever had the opportunity to meet him I would show him the utmost respect as the leader of my country. But when you go out their on that limb and start implying that the reason he receives criticism, is because he is black, and whether you realize it or not that is what you have done with your list of names. And you throw that "race card" well you lose your credibility, as far as I'm concerned. Yes there have been instances where President Obama has been shown disrespect, just like their have been instances where all of our previous presidents have been shown disrespect. President George W. Bush and President Reagan, were shown public disrespect as much as any two presidents have ever been...and that was wrong too. President Obama chose to run for this office, when doing so, I'm sure he knew that he was going to be criticized and probably disrespected. And I'm sure many of the derogatory statements made about him are racially motivated and wrong. But I would also say that many that were made about President Bush were also racially motivated and wrong. Unfortunately that is the times we live in and a sign of the country we have allowed to take shape...for the worse in my opinion. Are their racist out their, absolutely, racist of all colors. But when you make prejudged statements, as you have done in this blog, simply because we have a black president you show racism and discrimination a whole lot more than the examples that you cited. Perhaps you are a fair person, and judge people by their merit and their actions, I prefer to believe that about all people. But in my opinion statements like you have made, do not reflect that view.

Mike, I'm sorry that you feel that way about my blog but I'm not surprised. Racism is a daily part of our lives. Like air and water, it's part of the environment in which we live. Yet far too many white Americans still live in denial about its persistence.I think it is one thing to look at the blog from your own perspective, not see how it is racist and a completely different thing to insist that it is not racist and that we should all see it that way.

It’s not the job of people of color to win over racism, it’s the responsibility of white people to abandon it altogether. We’ve reached a point here in America, though, where we believe the worst of racism is over and the remaining animus is either not worth mentioning or dying off. Neither is true. Racism is the foundation; it literally built this country. It’s going to keep showing up. Denying that doesn’t solve the problem, it exacerbates it, making it so we can’t ever achieve real solutions.

So my solution? White people have to let go of racism. From the avowed racist, to the anti-racist activists, to the “I’m not a racist, I have two black friends” folks, to the “I don’t see color” people and everyone else between or on the margins. It has to be a concerted effort on the part of white people to actively reject racist beliefs, thoughts and actions.

Good point Jimmy, and I agree that race relations is not where it ought to be. At one time I thought it was one of the two biggest issues in our country, I no longer view it as that major of a problem, but it is still a big issue and still just as polarizing. As you and I have discussed before, regrettably unlike "this conversation" most people are not willing to talk about it, because they are afraid they will be called a racist by the "other side." In most cases whites discuss it among whites, blacks among blacks, and so on and so forth. It is usually discussed in the safety nets of those who agree with us. As you already know know me and you have always been willing to leave those confines.

Hate never wins! The right doesn't stand a chance. People don't care much for the POTUS but they are tired of the hate and division. By the way Seb, I'm still waiting on you to enlighten me about the great things the GOP has done for America!

@Mike Long County-I would like to commend you on taking the first step and having a conversation with others about race relations. I also commend you for sharing your opinion with me and others on this site. I realize race is not an easy topic to discuss. However, I hope you take your conversation to the next level and have an open dialogue with a person outside of your race about racism.

I would like to share a few experiences that shaped my life and views on race.

1. 4th grade- I was selected to sing a solo for the school concert. The choir director advised me not to share my part with my parents because they wouldn't show up if I spoiled it. The night of the event-I stepped out of the choir and prepared to empress my parents. I closed my eyes and begin to sing: "Oh I wish I was in the land of cotton-ole times there are not forgotten look away, look away, look away Dixie land". I felt a sharp pain run down my hands and the mic dropped-my mother pulled me off the stage and drug me to the car. I learned about race and the history of the song that night.

2. Oakdale Louisiana- I saw a fire burning and men in white sheets. My parents told me to lie down and not get up. My father was praying out loud with his foot on the gas and my mother was crying. It was one of the scariest days of my life as a child. I wouldn't go outside for months because I was afraid they would find us and set us on fire.

3. Junior High- My mother sent me to the store-the neighbor ran outside and told me to get back home because someone was killing little black girls. They found 2 bodies in the ditch-they were drug beyond recognition (bodies tied to a car with a rope). Those girls turned out to be my aunt and her best friend.

4.Jasper Texas- We went to church in Jasper Texas it was only a few miles up the road. The day we went to church they had found the body of James Byrd drug and beat beyond recognition.

I spent my entire childhood thinking I would be drug or beat because of the color of my skin. That's a horrible way to live as a child.

Good stuff Jimmy, I appreciate you sharing that. Those would be some very tough things to experience as a child and a youth. It does give me a little better understanding about you, and I'm sure everyone else sees you a little more clear too.-----------------------------------------------

"I hope you take your conversation to the next level and have an open dialogue with a person outside of your race about racism."

Jimmy thanks for the kind words, but I am a little confused about that part of the paragraph. My picture is in the paper when I write, my name is under it...Buddy I don't know how much more transparent I can be with offering my views and putting myself out there for discussion with others. Whether they be black, white, green, hetero, homo, Dem, Rep, Blue, Red, tree hugger, gun zealot, or whatever. Knowing what I have written in the past, and knowing me better than anyone else in here...why would you think I wouldn't talk to a black about race?

ToT I came here in 1970, with Dad retiring from military. I have to say also, that LA does sound a lot different from what I remember, but then again Jimmy is a few years older than me. But in Hinesville, I never saw any problems with race, also being from a military family, I guess I just didn't see it there either. Race never was an issue, in my mind, until after I finished my service in the military in 1988. It seemed that around that time, is when I noticed the issue of race taking the stage on TV and in people's conversations. But what I do believe is the idea of multiculturalism has been the biggest problem causing racial and even morale issues. We no longer teach the idea of being an American first, we teach our own individuality. That commonality of being one and a part of something bigger that unites us all, is no longer important to most. And I personally believe that it is one of the primary reasons for the mess our country is in today.

Totally my mistake Jimmy, I looked at the wrong name....sorry Buddy, reading my comment you could see where I would have been confused, if it had come from you.....henceforth I have made it even more confusing, by my comment back to you. I do apologies, I got back late last night was over in Jesup on some business and was tired when I came in and obviously made a mistake...again my bad.________________________________________

PN nothing against you or anyone not revealing your identities, everyone in here has that right. But in response to me discussing race with blacks. The reality is I will discuss anything with anybody. By me revealing my identity, that ought to, in a way, express that.________________________________________

PN having read your comments again, I can only say, that is bad stuff to go through as a child. And no matter how hard I try I can never see things through the eyes of a person who has seen these things. I also will admit I can't see things through the eyes of a person's whose race has been mistreated in the distant past either. But just as I can't..... neither can people of color look through my eyes as a white-heterosexual-male who has in reality, by my sex and race and sexual orientation, been blamed for all of the evils of the past, and of today. I'm 51 years old, my generation has grown up with all races being treated equal. We have a president who is black, local governments led by blacks, heads of organizations head up by blacks...but by many "whites" are still to blame for all of the evils of this world. Personally I believe that is beginning to change, to where now Christians are the blame for all of the evils. You offered your recommendations to solve the problem, but when you only put that ball in "white people's" court, the problem can never be solved. Race problems are no where near what they once were, but the only way to solve any problem is to have both sides be open minded and be willing to concede and change. Our government is a prime example of where we fail in that aspect. And even though I don't agree with you, I do respect your opinion.

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